The benefits of a lemon a day for mood, age and health

The lemon juice is synonymous with good mood for over one Italian in two, because it evokes lightness and freshness (according to 36.3% of people), relieves stress (33.1%) and brings back summer (52.8%). This was revealed by a new survey by AstraRicerche for Polenghi Food, from which it also emerges that this citrus fruit is considered a precious ally in the kitchen (97.8%) e for “do it yourself” well-being (33.6%). Symbol of our country for 70% of those interviewed, despite the massive, recent diffusion of the less tasty and virtuous foreign typologies – especially Greek and Spanish – Made in Italy is preferred in 42% of cases, possibly green and ethically grown in 39.7%, but only those who are most attentive to taste and health pay attention to the variety of the fruit (30%).

Why choose Italian lemons

Nevertheless the Italian lemon is an excellence that even boasts seven PGIs regional (Amalfi Coast, Interdonato Messina, Femminello del Gargano, Sorrento Igp, Etna, Rocca Imperiale, Femminiello siracusano), where Sicily dominates the scene at European level, also covering 90% of national production. «52% of families consume 2-3 fruits a week“, has explained Filippo Scandellari – CEO of Polenghi, an Italian family company that is the market leader in Europe for quality lemon juices – in presenting the research. Location: the Spinagallo Fundcradle of the Syracusan femminiello, cultivated in this way organic and ethical – from which the first pure juice and organic (Polenghi-Spinagallo, precisely), in glass bottles, with delicate pasteurization which keeps the aroma and nutritional principles intact «for seven, ten days from opening, if stored in the refrigerator». Compared to the average 24-48 hours in which a half leftover lemon begins to lose precious substances (take note). Objective: «Reduce waste and finally give dignity to a valuable product that deserves to be treated as such», also on a cultural level, where the first step was to involve the students of the Academy of Fine Arts of Ortigia for a dedicated exhibition.

All the health benefits

In short, it is a resource of our territory that needs to be valorised. Also by virtue of its extraordinary effects on the organism. «The best-known benefits of lemon concern the content of vitamin C, a very important molecule for health collagen synthesis, responsible for making up a large part of the connective tissue of the skin and organs. It is also a powerful antioxidant that cushions the negative effects of free radicalscan help prevent some forms of cancer, has a powerful effect anti-aging action and assists the immune system”explains Luca Piretta, nutritionist and gastroenterologist at the Campus Biomedico University of Rome. «Another peculiarity of vitamin C is that of promote the absorption of iron, therefore the consumption of lemons is particularly recommended for anemic people.” And again: «Citric acid helps prevent the appearance of kidney stones, alkalinizing the urine and thus preventing the crystallization of oxosalates, the salts that prevent the absorption of numerous mineral salts.” This citrus fruit also contains a large quantity of bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, flavonoids, aromatic oils and volatile compounds which have been shown to important antioxidant and protective actions on the entire organism. «The presence of mineral salts such as is not negligible either potassium (useful for the transmission of nerve impulses, for muscular and cardiac contraction, for maintaining acid-base balance and for allowing acid secretion from the stomach); The soccer and the phosphorus (necessary to help bone metabolism, to allow the transmission of cellular information and the transport of energy). While thanks to polyphenols and flavonoids it contributes to improve the body's lipid and glycemic profilesto lower inflammatory markers and oxidative stressand to positively modify the composition of intestinal microbiota». In practice, “one lemon a day – two in the case of smokers, who require double the amount of vitamin C – as part of a correct and varied diet as possible, is good for everything”. Numerous studies would even confirm that its regular and abundant intake can reduce stress level And improve optimism and self-esteem, “reducing the risk of depression”.